By Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe
Copyright businessday
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria’s armed forces are making decisive gains against insurgents, separatist groups and criminal gangs, insisting the country is “winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes.”
In his Independence Day broadcast on Wednesday, the President praised the sacrifices of security personnel and said their efforts had brought peace back to swathes of the country that were once under threat.
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“They are winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes,” Tinubu told Nigerians. “We see their victories in their blood and sweat to stamp out Boko Haram terror in the North-East, IPOB/ESN terror in the South-East and banditry and kidnapping. We must continue to celebrate their gallantry and salute their courage on behalf of a grateful nation.”
According to him, peace has returned to “hundreds of liberated communities” in the North-West and North-East, allowing thousands of displaced people to return home. He added that security improvements were already strengthening the economy by creating a safer environment for farming, investment and trade.
Tinubu’s comments come amid continuing concerns about sporadic attacks in rural areas and the resilience of armed groups, but the President maintained that the trend was moving firmly in Nigeria’s favour.
